Photo storage for all those pictures you have on your phone.

Why is it so easy to take pictures with your phone camera but it seems a bit complicated when it comes to organizing and storing them??

What I do is super old school and not efficient.  If there are photos I want to save like this one

Brooke and I at Environmental Evergreens Farm in Maryland (November, 2012)

taken by David, I send them to my email address (making sure to check 'actual size' when prompted).  The images show up in my email and then I download them to my hard drive. 

Told ya, old school.   

There are great options for photo storage so I waded through a couple articles.  One of the easiest articles can be read here.  It includes a table with the pros and cons of several Photo Storage Services: Flickr, Google Photos, Amazon Prime, Photobucket and This Life

I have used Dropbox and Flickr.  Based on how much space you need, both can be free.  There was a small learning curve with Flickr but once I created a couple Photo Collections it got easier.  I like the way Flickr creates an attractive photo gallery that can be shared with others privately.  For instance, if I've taken a bunch of pictures (phone and/or camera) at a party or on a vacation I upload them to Flickr and send the link to family and friends.  It has worked fine but it won't be my long term approach for storing or sharing pictures.

Of course Apple has a solution to photo storage.  It's called the iCloud Photo Library and appears to be seamless for Mac users, and a couple other photography-crazy friends say it is very easy with other PCs. 

Facebook friends are great resources.  I asked what they are using. 

Janine's system is this, "I have an android phone (Samsung Galaxy S4) and I use Dropbox. I have things set for the photos to automatically go to Dropbox using wifi only. It uses way too much battery to not go the wifi only route. I then move the photos from Dropbox to computer files. I have the files set up by month/ year ( ie. June 2015). I also have some specific subject folders ( sunrise/ sunset, trees/flowers, for example). It's been working out very well and I haven't lost any photos since using Dropbox."

Samantha stated her go-to system is Google+

Nicole endorses Amazon Prime.  "I use dropbox and amazon....like amazon better. Unlimited photo storage, separate app for my phone, and I have my settings so that my phone photos auto upload to my amazon account."

I think I'll be going with Amazon Prime.   Happy hunting for what works best for you!

An Artist's Vision. A Changed Man.

Michael Bellotti and I met at a photography event last summer.  I'm glad we did.  

Michael's background isn't like anyone else I know.  When I asked him what he wanted to remember most about this time in his life, he said "How much I have changed."  His journey is best told by storytellers Boyd Huppert and Jonathan Millot in an award-winning 'Land of 10,000 Lakes' article.

http://www.kare11.com/story/news/local/2014/04/06/sent-to-prison-ex-drug-dealer-paints-for-grieving-

I wish you could see this portrait in person. 

It's breath taking and my picture doesn't do it justice.......

The afternoon I was in his studio, Michael was working on one of three submissions for the new Minnesota Vikings Stadium.  I grew up watching my dad paint for hours at a time so observing painter's paint has a familiarity.  It's a little like watching a dance - - steps toward the canvas, brush strokes, back away from the canvas, squint eyes, back to the canvas, swing to the right to pick up clumps of color, arms lift, repose.  

Aside from being remarkably talented, Michael is a dedicated small business owner.  As a sole proprietor in the art world that involves making canvas frames, art installations, managing marketing, supplies, and bills, client interactions and participating in lots of Art Fairs.  His success is coming from a place of long hours and gratitude. 

Michael offers classes to kids and adults; both on location and in his studio.  Learn more about his work and art classes with these links.

Michael Bellotti Fine Art  

Painting Classes    

Thus far, he has completed 35 oil paintings for families that have lost a child.  A phone call about a possible family that lost a child came in while we were talking. 

The Adam Carter Foundation

If you see Michael at any of the Summer Art Fairs, he would enjoy talking with you and tell him I said Hello! 

The print labs that pros use and so can you.

I've tried three large retail store photo labs over the years for printing pictures and have not been thrilled.  The prints came back too grainy or discolored with burnt red and/or yellow tones.  A few I've put in frames for a while but ultimately tossed those photos in the garbage, which made me sad because wasting time, money and materials bugs me.  I recognize that I am particular about quality and color.  I think others are as well.  

Here's the great news.....these website links take you to print labs that professional photographers use and you can too!

simplycolorlab

adoramapix

pinholepress

mpix

If you care about the picture, you will want to care about the quality of the print.  Especially if you are enlarging an image than high-quality printing is important.  Each of these sites offers a wide variety of products. 

My professional photography interactions have been with mpix and simplycolorlab.  I have been very satisfied with the products from both and had exceptional experiences with both photo labs.

For Christmas Cards and Party Invitations, I have been downright delighted with these web businesses:

Minted

Tiny Prints

Pear Tree Greetings

Opening Night: EBONY Fashion Fair party

The Minnesota History Center opened a new exhibit titled "Inspiring Beauty: 50 Years of EBONY Fashion Fair". 

The exhibit is a beautiful tribute to Eunice Walker Johnson and her husband John Johnson.  Together, they helped to change the fashion world for African-American women, models and designers.  They published several magazines (Ebony, Jet, Ebony Jr., The Negro Digest/Black World) which addressed segregation and discrimination issues, history, literature, arts and fashion.  They created a line of cosmetics and the Ebony Fashion Fair.  The Fair raised $55 million for African-American charities, such as the United Negro College Fund and sickle-cell anemia research.  Ms. Johnson gave Ebony Magazine it's name; which comes from the dark heartwood of an ebony tree.       

                                                            Eunice Walker Johnson

The exhibit launched with a Preview Party and Fashion Show on May 23, 2015.  It was a glam night with huge heart and purpose, and I was thrilled to be apart of it.  I left the evening considering the struggles the earliest African-American models endured, for they were trailblazers in equality in their own ways, and in awe of the vision and tenacity of Ms. Johnson.

The exhibit will be in St. Paul at the Minnesota History Center until August 6th.  Then the forty garments and accompanying slideshows will continue to tour nationally.  

Minnesota History Center, 345 Kellogg Blvd W., St. Paul MN 55102

Happy National Donut Day

We have Salvation Army to thank for a National Donut Day.  In 1938, they established the first Friday of June as National Donut Day to honor the men and women who served donuts to soldiers during World War I.  One more reason to love the Salvation Army organization.

On Saturday, June 13th, David, Alex, Nicole, Brooke, James and I are tackling the TWIN CITIES DONUT CRAWL.  Wish us luck!

The numbers from 2014: 1,000 people attended, 3,300 donuts and 80 gallons of coffee were handed out.  The best aspect of this shindig is the donation made to Second Harvest Heartland.  Last November, the donation equaled 9,000 meals to those in need.

The businesses:

 

june 14 (PArt 2)

The sugary pilgrimage went down yesterday! 

It was a rainy morning but the donuts were fresh.  Based on our experiences, some recommendations for those attending this event in the future:

• Go early if you want to get the t-shirt size you ordered. 
• We arrived at 10 am and the lines were an hour long.  Go at the beginning or wait till the end when they are winding down and lines dwindle.
• If you want to be practical about it, which you likely don't, one box of donuts (a single ticket) is plenty to share with several people. 
• The organizers have several things to work out but it's a great cause.

Minneapolis Institute of Art

On the third Thursday of every month, the Minneapolis Institute of Art invites patrons to experience their art collection through one-of-kind programming and live music. 

With the vision of Jill Emmer and Rita Farmer, co-creators of Minnstameets, and production of prints by Andy Fried, yesterday was a truly special day for Minnesota Instagrammers as their photos were displayed on a museum wall! 

We celebrated MIA's Third Thursday with lots of smiles and happiness.   This photo was taken in Dellwood and was part of the Pop Up Installation.....what an honor. 

   'Woman + Man in Golden Hour' by Julie Oliver Photography

The cherry on the top of all this celebrating was David, Nicole and Brooke's presence. 

Who is going to the SUMMER PARTY of the year to celebrate MIA's 100th birthday?  Friday, June 26th.  Details here!! 

Rosie, Brooke and James go bowling.

We are a family that likes to go and do. Before Tony, Stevie and Rosie hit town last week we knew it would be a busy trip. Silverwood Park and Minnehaha Falls were on our list. David got to show Tony his latest woodworking projects.Stevie had a couple great photo shoots. We celebrated my Mom's 85th birthday and let me tell you she was in fine form!! Can't wait to see the pictures Stevie took of that evening. And our Rosie is walking -- which is just the cutest -- tackling every terrain like a champ. 

    The girls are crazy about each other.

p.s. The kitchenette from Ikea (behind Rosie) and chair from Pottery Barn Kids are favorites at our house.

A picture from Daeger's backyard bon fire that I love.  We hauled out blankets because it was chilly while Brooke felt her dinosaur costume was the way to go.   

Our last night we bowled.  Alex and Nicole had been to Pinstripes before and it was a blast!

Reasons to take your family to Pinstripes Bistro, Bocce and Bowling:

• friendly, efficient staff  (even though it's tailored to an adult crowd the staff made us feel very welcomed)
• fantastic tenderloin sliders, sausage &peppers pizza, and grilled vegetable flat bread with fresh avocado
• complimentary socks to go with the $4 bowling shoes
• loads of fun with kids that like action

Sometimes I wish I liked coffee.

There's so much to like about quaint places that serve specialty coffees.  I enjoy walking into the smells, watching the barista hustle, hearing the frothers churning out espresso and lattes.  I wish I had acquired the taste for coffee when I was younger.  Once in a while I take a hit of someone's fancy-schmancy drink that has a tiny bit of coffee and think, yeah, I could like that.  Alas, I go to my fall back every time.  Tea.  I like all kinds of tea. 

With many places now serving craft beer and wine, salads with organic everything and sandwiches with fruit chutney they are extra cool.  A few new favorites, click the restaurant name for more information. 

The Copper Hen    

A sweet interior.  Excellent egg breakfast dishes.  The Bloody Mary's come with a miniature cupcake.  I don't drink Bloody Mary's but I saw several delivered to tables which is usually a good sign.  They take reservations and can accommodate larger groups. 

Groundswell Midway

Fabulous reclaimed Douglas Fir tables and a good place to chill with an electronic device, to watch people come and go or just look out the big windows for an hour.  They have an interesting history.

This 'Minnesota Nice' treat will capture your eye: regional wild rice, honey, cranberries, and orange-almond icing with a dark chocolate cut-out. 

hello!

Great scones for taking home to toss in the freezer.  The one on the left has cherries and on the right is a crumbled bacon, grated Gruyere with lots of rosemary savory scone. 

Black: Coffee and Waffle Bar

Thee place to go for waffles!  There was ample street parking the day I went.  I'd recommend you go at a non-traditional dining time because they don't take reservations and it's a smallish cafe.  Or just be prepared to wait in a long line because they are that good.  

If you want to meet up for coffee, I'm all in.  I'll have tea. 

Dellwood Barn

Time for friendships.  Fields of cattails and songbirds.  A refurbished barn.  Straw bales and hot dogs with relish.  Thank you Dellwood Barn and darling friends Jill Emmer and Rita Farmer for a beautiful evening.